Carpet-stretcher



(No Model.)

A. HANKEY. CARPET STRETGHER.

No. 501,617. Patented July 18, 1893..

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

'ANTON I-IANKEY, OF GILMAN, COLORADO.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 501,617, dated July 18, 1893.

Application filed November 3, 1892. Serial No, 450,5264. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTON HANKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gilman, in the county of Eagle and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carpet-Stretchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention consists in a new and improved carpet stretcher, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my carpet stretcher adjusted ready to stretch a carpet. Fig. 2 is a top plan View showing it extended. Fig. 3 illustrates in detail, on an enlarged scale, one end of the same.

The same numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring to the several parts by their designating numerals, 1, 2, indicate the two stretcher-bars of my carpet stretcher, each of which is formed with an L-shaped outer end, 3, to which the cross-heads are hinged; this construction causing the flat bars to fit in snugly side by side and apply the strain to the center of the cross-heads; and further adding greatly to the compactness of the device. To the transverse L-shaped outer end of each bar is centrally hinged a flat cross-head, 4, having the inclined teeth, 5; and this crosshead has hinged to its ends the end-pieces 6, 6, which can be turned back on top of the cross-head when not required for use. When, however, it is desired to broaden the stretcher, thereby giving a much larger stretching capacity to the cross-heads, these hinged endpieces 6 are turned down in line with the cross-head, and metal bands, 7, are slid over the hinge or joint and thus hold the pieces 6 firmly in their extended positions; these bands being of such width as to inclose both of the hinged ends over which they are slid. When the locking-bands are slid to one side, leaving the hinges free to work, the end-pieces 6 can be turned 'up over the cross-head again. The stretcher-bars have the hinged inner ends 8; and the bar 2 is formed with a rack or series of inclined teeth, 9, on its outer edge, as shown; while to the inner end of the bar 1 is secured a metal retaining-loop 10. This loop is secured in any one of a series of openings, 11, in the hinged end of bar 1; this series of openings giving a means of adjusting the stretch or working length of the device; and the loop passes around the other bar, 3, being of such length that when held straight across the bar the teeth 9 of bar 2 can slip readily through it, while when turned out of this straight line it will engage with said teeth and thus hold the bar 2 from further movement past the bar 1.

In operation, the teeth of the cross-heads 4 having been engaged with the loose carpet at the proper distance from the sides of the room, the inner ends of the bars 1, 2, are raised according to the distance which the carpet is to be stretched, andthe end of the loop 10 is then engaged with the teeth of the bar-rack at that point; the hinged inner ends 8 of the bars permitting of their more ready manipulation and adjustment, as the hinged ends can be much more readily raised and moved than the entire length of the bars, while the wire loop will bend or give to admit'of the free movement of said hinged ends. Also by hinging the bars they can be much more readily stowed away and will occupy much less room when the stretcher is not in use. These hinged ends are then straightened out, and are held straight by wide metal sleeves, 12, 12, which slide snugly on the bars and are slid over the hinged ends as shown. The stretcher bars are then forced down flat upon the carpet, thus stretching it to the edges of the room by the cross-heads at their outer ends and centrally pivoted turn-buttons, 13, 13, on the ends of the bars are then turned across the two flat bars to assist in holding them down in a horizontal plane.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, manner of operation, and practical advantages of my invention will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

1. A carpet stretcher comprising the bar 1 having the L-shaped outer end and the hinged inner section, the bar 2 having the L- shaped outer end and the hinged inner section, the sleeves 12 fitting movably on said bars, the cross-heads hinged centrally to the L-shaped ends of the bars, and having the hinged end-pieces 6, the locking-bands 7, a retaining loop secured at one end to the bar 1 and extending around bar 2, and the turnbuttons 13 pivoted on the ends of the bars as shown; substantially as set forth.

2. A carpet stretcher comprising the bar 1 having the L-shaped outer end and the hinged inner section formed. with the series of adjusting openings 11, the bar2 having 

